Sorry everyone! It has taken me a while to post this. If you missed the original story, read it here.
Here is the reply from the SA Mental Health Commissioner, Chris Burns.
Dear Dr Smith,
Thank you for your courage and candour in sharing your personal and professional experience as an emergency medicine practitioner, colleague, mother and wife experiencing (at times) mental ill-health. Yours is a tragically insightful story and one which I strongly believe will give others – including medical professionals – hope and fortitude in the knowledge that they are not alone. You highlight many important issues, not least the importance of strengthening the mental health and wellbeing of our community and our workplaces. We know that 45% of Australian adults will experience a diagnosable mental illness in their lifetime and one in five Australian workers has taken time off in the last year because they felt too mentally unwell to work. You share how mental ill-health can take a terrible emotional, physical and financial toll personally and professionally, exacerbated by the fear of speaking openly or feeling at risk of repercussions in doing so.
Much of your experience was reflected in the views, stories and concerns of the over 2200 South Australians who helped us develop the South Australian Mental Health Strategic Plan. South Australians told us that a compassionate, resilient and connected community is one that invests in building both people and community’s wellness while also responding quickly and kindly to those needing help and assistance. They wanted both opportunities to learn and engage in strategies and practices that strengthen our mental health and wellbeing as well as easily accessible support ‘without jumping through hoops’– if they or their loved ones were experiencing the first signs of mental ill health or were experiencing high levels of distress. They wanted mentally healthy workplaceswhich promoted wellbeing and supported people who were managing ill health of any kind – from depression to a broken leg. They wanted to feel connected and heard. We know that connecting and sharing stories of our experiences is what helps people to understand and it breaks the stigma and discrimination that surrounds mental illness.
I note that in the Medical Journal of Australia recently, cardiologist and mental health advocate Dr Geoffrey Toogood talked about the internal and external barriers he faced as he battled severe depression. His openness has come at a cost. While people seek him out after his public talks and share their stories, Dr Toogood says he has faced discrimination professionally.Just like you Dr Smith, Dr Toogood remains courageous in normalising the conversation about mental health and helping to break down barriers to ensure honesty and vulnerability are seen as skills and strengths that add to professional and personal capacities, rather than be seen as risks to be managed.I couldn’t agree with you more that we ‘need to destigmatise, allow people to talk openly if they wish and to offer support’. It was heartening to seeing that the Council of Australian Governments (COAG) Health Council agreed at its 13 April 2018 meeting to draft legislation ‘to remove barriers for registered health professionals to seek appropriate treatment for impairments including mental health’. While this is a very positive step, breaking down the associated stigma and discrimination barriers will only be achieved through courageous leadership, increased awareness throughout our society and true compassion where people are prepared to listen and not judge. I look forward to working with you to do just that.
SA Mental Health Commissioner Chris Burns CSC
